"Tell me, Maddie. Why did the Beaumont family isolate me in this tower? I've lost part of my memory. Explain everything honestly; I promise you won't get into trouble." V emphasized her words; she was eager to get out of this sickening, claustrophobic place. V was not fit to be confined in a golden cage. She should explore the entire land if necessary.
As per Maddie's previous information, this place is the Netherworld. I was currently in the territory of Oakhaven, the southern part of the prosperous enchanted empire of Alverton, which borders the state of the Town of Sorcery, Sellia. From this tower, I can see the peaks of the Arran mountains in the distance. All creatures in here consider the mountain range to be one of the Holy Six Mountains.
Her head was filled with many questions that remained unanswered, but Vante's threat was always in her head as if exasperating brainworm. It was no ordinary threat. The fragments of Vienna's vague memories often made V lose her way. Yet at least she could still use it as a clue.
Valeska was still unsure whether she could trust Tresha completely or not; even though she was a loving mother, V felt awkward with her.
The only one Valeska can trust at the moment is Maddie Waltz. The personal maid Tresha had ordered to serve her in this tower. Only her. After all, Maddie appeared innocent, and V could see the colour of Maddie's soul life showing a greenish glow. V was confident that Maddie could be trusted.
Valeska is unsure, since when exactly, being able to see all kinds of peculiar things or various visions that ordinary eyes couldn't see. Like the colour of Vante's soul life, which was blackish, while Tresha showed a grey colour. Valeska only drew the owner of a black soul life to be wary. They're evil.
I'm sick of this ridiculous family destiny. Maybe being a little more mean, manipulative, and vigilant isn't such a bad thing. I won't let anyone bully, control, and treat me like scum again. I have such a powerful foreign power coursing through my blood. I must rapidly adapt, fathom, and respond to my surroundings.
I'm not the weak Valeska I used to be! The problem is, I have no idea how to use this power. It's useless to have great power, but I can't control it. Yes, my soul transmigrated to the Netherworld. So, the choice now is to accept fate? Or try to kill myself again? I'm exhausted from trying to kill myself so many times; look at the end. Now, I'm trapped inside someone else's body in a foreign transmigration world.
It's happening now!
Maddie twisted her shivering fingers; her face blanched. The fear of Count Sebastian and Young Master Vante constrained her that Maddie's actions might trigger their wrath.
"Maddie? You want to help me, right?" V pleaded in a sweet tone, showing a charming expression, the brilliant glassy eyes of which thrilled Maddie to the point where she couldn't refuse.
"Forgive my impertinence, my lady." Maddie knelt on the floor; she ventured in a trembling voice. "But it was Lord Count who ordered Madame Countess to confine you here, so that the incident last time would not happen again."
V's head throbbed with ache. Her patience is burnt out. "What do you mean, my mom did everything that he was told without listening to me first?"
I knew there was something strange in this family. I just liked you, Tresha. How badly does this family treat you, Vienna? Their own biological daughter? Why am I always unlucky and stuck in this situation over and over again?
"As Madame Countess is too terrified of Lord Count. He is so temperamental. Everything must go his way. Last time you ran away to Frostholm as you did not want to be married off to Marquess Granville." Maddie added with an innocent expression.
A huge sledgehammer seemed to hit the back of V's head. Her brilliant blue eyes now darkened into nothingness. "They forced me to marry Marquess Granville?"
Ridiculous!
"Lord Count has often set you up with nobles. But many times, it failed; some of them withdrew for no apparent reason." Maddie explained through a breathless sigh. "But this time is different; Marquess Granville seems reluctant to give up and really wants you, my lady."
I can't take it anymore.
V shot up from her couch; she growled in exasperation. "Help me get dressed; tell mom I want to see dad immediately!"
"Yes, my lady."
Valeska muttered furiously. "I can't take it anymore! Being forced to marry someone I never met?!"
***
"My respects to great father." V smiled fabulously, trying to play her part well, just to get a read on the real situation.
What V got was different from what she expected; she came to fathom why Vienna repeatedly tried to escape from the Beaumont family. It turns out that even having wealth does not guarantee one's happiness.
Tresha, who was sitting on the other side, only had a worried look on her daughter's face, but she was so distressed that she couldn't interrupt Sebastian's words even to defend Vienna—her lips were tightly clenched.
Instead, Count Sebastian stared at Vienna with a strange, cold, maniacal look in his eyes.
Forcing Valeska to be fully alert. Her adrenaline surged. As the image of Count Sebastian's face always flashed in Vienna's memory fragments. She was terrified of her father and Vante.
Sebastian cracked a vicious smile, the change in his facial expression so unpredictable. "Excellent, I see you're much better now."
Well, thanks to the healer mage's examination, and now Vienna's memory vision was more intense. I've got bad head cache many times.
"I really don't want to see you. That's what you deserve for humiliating me. You know I'm going to have to clean up all the mess you've made! So many marriage deals have been cancelled because of your stupidity! You've shamed the Beaumont family! Tarnished my honour!" Sebastian cursed hatefully, his face bright red this time. "You owe me an apology!"
Tresha could do nothing but look down, full of deep regret.
He didn't even ask how I was doing. This is so painful. Vienna, I knew all. Watch me!
"It's a good thing Marquess Granville still wants to marry you! This time, don't mess up again! He will come to our residence to take you to lunch. Make time for him! Your silly mistake ashamed me! Do the right thing, morrons!"
"Why, father?" asked V deadpan, her tongue tasting bitter, calling the man her father. He was just as cruel as Corbett.
Why? You all don't deserve to be called a father!
Sebastian growled, sniffing rebellion. His hand punched the edge of the coffee table. "What the hell do you mean?!"
"Give me an explanation: why should I marry a stranger? Why don't you listen to my opinion? Am I not your biological daughter?"
"The Dark Witch's strike has apparently made you dumber than ever, huh?!" Sebastian chuckled cruelly, his arms folded over his chest. "Let me remind you once again: your duty in this family is only one. Marry the highest noble! Position and treasure are so important! So that you can raise this family's honour standing! I've supported you since you were a child; it's time for you to repay me! It's fortunate that I have an extraordinarily exquisite daughter that I can use to charm the nobles. Do as I say, marry Marquess Granville! Plunder his fortune until it's gone, and leave him behind when he's useless! Then you can marry another high nobleman like Duke Emris Malvolia's son, or Archduke Aslan Noxton."
Crazy old fox! You sold me out, damn it!
Tresha looked away; she couldn't bear to look at Vienna right now. She held back her tears from falling. Completely helpless.
Vante chuckled in the doorway, his laughter taunting Vienna. He patted Vienna on the shoulder and embraced her. "Father is right; that is your duty, my sister. For that is all you can do as the most adorable lady in the Alverton empire. You have nothing to be proud of other than that. You are still lucky that Marquess Granville did not cancel the marriage agreement. He is so fond of you."
V's eyes glared at these two useless men in the Beaumont family. The flames of rage rose within her chest. Her hands were clenched, with her cheekbones hardened. She couldn't imagine how Vienna went through her hellish days. They were verbally abusive.
Why aren't our fates so different, Vienna? How dare you look down on me?!
"Why should I apologize for mistakes I didn't make? I never regret triggering all this mess." V stated firmly, gazing at them deadly. Her blue eyes flashed darkly. "And you can't force me to do that. I have the right to my own life, father."
"Of course I can! I controlled you!" Count Sebastian shouted furiously, his jaw hardened, then his face turned crimson red. "Who do you think you are to challenge and defy my orders?! This lavish residence is mine! You're nothing! After all that I've done for you! It's only right that you return the favour now."
Vante stifled his laughter, not expecting his sister's rebellious attitude to be so entertaining and admirable.
V smirked falsely, "If I refuse, shouldn't you just throw me away as I'm no longer useful again? I don't want to get married, father. I want to live freely, learn things, and pursue my passions. I had a lot of things to do."
"Mindless!" Sebastian threw the teacup right under Vienna's feet until it shattered into pieces. He shrilled in a strident tone. "How dare you contradict me?!"
"You don't believe in my abilities? I can obtain position and wealth without marrying even the highest nobility." Vienna glanced at Vante, threatening him through a no-live tone of voice that sounded haunting and terrifying, forcing Vante to shut his mouth instantly. "When father is dead. I can also seize the position of head family from you, my brother. You should terrify now."
From now on, I'll be your nightmares.
***